High school football: Avon QB Tommy Glenn commits to Toledo

By
Paul Barney, The Morning Journal

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Of all the great quarterbacks to come out of Avon High School, Tommy Glenn will be the first to play the position at a Division I college.
On Feb. 12 — a week after National Signing Day — Glenn committed to Toledo as a preferred walk-on. He will be the only quarterback in the Rockets’ 2014 freshman class, one of only four quarterbacks on the roster, and is one of the select few freshman walk-ons invited to the team’s summer camp.
“I’m ecstatic,” said Glenn, who plans to study accounting. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m just blessed to be able to go there and play football for them.”
So is his high school coach, Mike Elder.
“He’s just the next in the line of great quarterbacks we’ve had and we’re really proud of him,” Elder said.
In his only season as a starter, Glenn threw for over 2,500 yards with 26 touchdowns, leading the Eagles to a perfect regular season and third straight appearance in the regional finals. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
In his first varsity start, a 41-10 win over Avon Lake in the season opener, Glenn threw for more than 300 yards and four touchdowns. He went on to set Avon records for single season and career completion percentages of 66.1 and 63, respectively.
Not bad considering all the great Avon quarterbacks to come before him, such as Ryan O’Rourke, Cody Schroeder, Justin O’Rourke and David Zeh. Even Glenn admitted he was surprised that he’s the first to play quarterback at a D-I college.
“It’s an honor considering all the great quarterbacks before me,” Glenn said. “I’m very surprised actually, but it’s really a big honor and I’m thankful to my coaches and my parents for supporting me all the way.”
While Glenn is surprised, Elder isn’t.
“Bottom line is, Tommy’s just as talented as many of our other quarterbacks,” Elder said. “Those guys elected to take Division II scholarships as opposed to a Division I walk-on. I don’t think that’s any indication of who is better … but I certainly think that he has a lot of upside and potential as he continues to grow and develop and mature.
“He had an outstanding year for us and statistically had one of the best seasons of any quarterback we’ve ever had. That’s going to get people’s attention and give you opportunities, and I’m sure Tommy will make the most of that.”
Other schools Glenn looked at were Ohio, Tiffin and Walsh, but he said UT stood out the most, especially the coaching staff.
“They were just great people, not to mention their football program’s doing excellent — one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference,” Glenn said. “Great crowd, great facility, great campus ... it was just the place to be. Their business and accounting programs are top-notch.”
The Rockets went 7-5 last season under head coach Matt Campbell, including 5-3 in the MAC.
Since the season ended on Nov. 22 with a regional final loss to Medina Highland, Glenn has been in the weight room and working on his conditioning to get ready for next season.